Rental fee setting apparatus, rental fee setting method and rental fee setting system

ABSTRACT

A management server is configured to perform a process including: setting a basic fee of a first monthly fee when a utilization manner is battery lease; setting discount rates based on the weight, capacity, manufacturer, degree of initial deterioration, amount of power consumption, number of times of performing quick electric charging, utilization region, and utilization period of the battery; determining the first monthly fee; setting a basic fee of a second monthly fee when the utilization manner is vehicle lease; setting discount rates based on the weight of the battery, a utilization region of the vehicle, and a utilization period; determining the second monthly fee; and determining a total monthly fee.

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/196,027, filed Nov. 20, 2018, which claims priority to JapanesePatent Application No. 2017-223811 filed on Nov. 21, 2017, with theJapan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are all herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to setting of a rental fee of an electricvehicle or a power storage device mounted in the electric vehicle.

Description of the Background Art

A conventionally known rental system rents an electric vehicle, abattery mounted therein, and the like to a user and collects a rentalfee. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-291110 disclosesmeasuring usage data about charging and discharging a battery, and usingthis data to set a rental fee.

SUMMARY

As a utilization manner of the electric vehicle described above, forexample, the user can select a utilization manner as follows: the userrents one of battery portion and vehicle portion of the electric vehicleand purchases the other; or the user rents or purchases both. Thevehicle portion is a portion of the electric vehicle other than thebattery. In this case, depending on how the electric vehicle isutilized, a degree of deterioration may differ between the batteryportion and the vehicle portion. Therefore, when the user selects autilization manner such as one described above, it is required to set anappropriate rental fee to the selected utilization manner incomprehensive consideration of various characteristics associated witheach of the battery portion and the vehicle portion.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a rental fee settingapparatus, a rental fee setting method, and a rental fee setting system,by each of which an appropriate rental fee is set in accordance with aselected utilization manner in comprehensive consideration ofcharacteristics associated with each of battery portion and vehicleportion of an electric vehicle.

A rental fee setting apparatus according to a certain aspect of thepresent disclosure is a rental fee setting apparatus configured to set arental fee for an electric vehicle in which a power storage device ismounted. This rental fee setting apparatus includes: a storage deviceconfigured to store (i) an indication as to whether or not a utilizationmanner of the power storage device is rental and (ii) an indication asto whether a utilization manner of a vehicle portion of the electricvehicle other than the power storage device is rental; and a settingdevice configured to set a first rental fee and a second rental fee inaccordance with at least one of (i) an initial state of the powerstorage device at a time of start of utilization, (ii) a driving historyof the electric vehicle during the utilization, and (iii) an environmenthistory during the utilization, the first rental fee being a rental feefor a predetermined period when the utilization manner of the powerstorage device is rental, the second rental fee being a rental fee forthe predetermined period when the utilization manner of the vehicleportion is rental.

In this way, the first rental fee and second rental fee can be setappropriately based on at least one of the initial state of the powerstorage device at the time of start of the utilization, the drivinghistory of the electric vehicle during the utilization, and theenvironment history during the utilization, whereby the user can obtaina high degree of satisfaction about the fee.

In a certain embodiment, the setting device is configured to set adifferent fee to at least one of the first rental fee and the secondrental fee when a weight of the power storage device at the time ofstart of the utilization is different.

In this way, each of the first rental fee and second rental fee can beappropriately set by setting a different fee when the weight of thepower storage device is different, because loads applied to vehicleportions differ depending on weights of power storage devices orcapacities of power storage devices differ when the weights of the powerstorage devices at the times of start of the utilization are different.

In a certain embodiment, the setting device is configured to set adifferent fee to the first rental fee when a capacity of the powerstorage device at the time of start of the utilization is different.

In this way, the first rental fee can be appropriately set by setting adifferent fee because costs of power storage devices are different whencapacities of the power storage devices are different.

In a certain embodiment, the setting device is configured to set adifferent fee to the first rental fee when a manufacturer of the powerstorage device at the time of start of the utilization is different.

In this way, the first rental fee can be appropriately set by setting adifferent fee, because even power storage devices having the samecapacities are different in terms of input/output performance anddurability depending on manufacturers of the power storage devices.

In a certain embodiment, the setting device is configured to set adifferent fee to the first rental fee between a case where an amount ofpower consumption of the power storage device until the predeterminedperiod passes exceeds a threshold value and a case where the amount ofpower consumption of the power storage device until the predeterminedperiod passes does not exceed the threshold value, the amount of powerconsumption of the power storage device being obtained using the drivinghistory.

In this way, the first rental fee can be set appropriately by setting adifferent fee between the case where the amount of power consumption ofthe power storage device until the predetermined period passes exceedsthe threshold value and the case where the amount of power consumptionof the power storage device until the predetermined period passes doesnot exceed the threshold value, because when the threshold value isexceeded, the deterioration of the power storage device may be promotedas compared with the case where the threshold value is not exceeded.

In a certain embodiment, the setting device is configured to set adifferent fee to the first rental fee between a case where the number oftimes of performing quick electric charging to the power storage deviceuntil the predetermined period passes exceeds a threshold value and acase where the number of times of performing quick electric charging tothe power storage device until the predetermined period passes does notexceed the threshold value, the number of times of performing quickelectric charging to the power storage device being obtained using thedriving history.

In this way, the first rental fee can be appropriately set by setting adifferent fee between the case where the number of times of performingquick electric charging exceeds the threshold value and the case wherethe number of times of performing quick electric charging does notexceed the threshold value, because when the threshold value isexceeded, the deterioration of the power storage device may be promotedas compared with the case where the threshold value is not exceeded.

In a certain embodiment, the setting device is configured to set adifferent fee to at least one of the first rental fee and the secondrental fee between a case where a utilization region is in a predefinedregion until the predetermined period passes and a case where theutilization region is outside the predefined region until thepredetermined period passes, the utilization region being specified fromthe environment history.

In this way, for example, in a region that provides many opportunitiesto travel on a road on which an anti-freezing agent is scattered, thedeterioration of the vehicle portion may be promoted as compared with aregion that provides few opportunities to travel thereon. Meanwhile, ina region with a comparatively high temperature, the deterioration of thepower storage device may be promoted as compared with a region with acomparatively low temperature. Therefore, each of the first rental feeand second rental fee can be appropriately set by setting a differentfee between the case where the utilization region is in the predefinedregion and the case where the utilization region is outside thepredefined region.

In a certain embodiment, the setting device is configured to set adifferent fee to at least one of the first rental fee and the secondrental fee between a case where the predetermined period is in apredefined period and a case where the predetermined period is outsidethe predefined period.

In this way, for example, in winter, there are more opportunities totravel on a road on which an anti-freezing agent is scattered, thanthose in the other seasons. Hence, the deterioration of the vehicleportion may be promoted. Meanwhile, since the temperature environment insummer becomes higher than the temperature environments in the otherseasons, the deterioration of the power storage device may be promoted.Therefore, each of the first rental fee and second rental fee can beappropriately set by setting a different fee between the case where thepredetermined period is in the predefined period and the case where thepredetermined period is outside the predefined period.

A method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is amethod for setting a rental fee for an electric vehicle in which a powerstorage device is mounted. This method includes: storing (i) anindication as to whether or not a utilization manner of the powerstorage device is rental and (ii) an indication as to whether autilization manner of a vehicle portion of the electric vehicle otherthan the power storage device is rental; and setting a first rental feeand a second rental fee in accordance with at least one of (i) aninitial state of the power storage device at a time of start ofutilization, (ii) a driving history of the electric vehicle during theutilization, and (iii) an environment history during the utilization,the first rental fee being a rental fee for a predetermined period whenthe utilization manner of the power storage device is rental, the secondrental fee being a rental fee for the predetermined period when theutilization manner of the vehicle portion is rental.

A rental fee setting system according to still another aspect of thepresent disclosure includes: an electric vehicle in which a powerstorage device is mounted; and a server configured to set a rental feefor the electric vehicle. The server is configured to store (i) anindication as to whether or not a utilization manner of the powerstorage device is rental and (ii) an indication as to whether autilization manner of a vehicle portion of the electric vehicle otherthan the power storage device is rental. The server is configured to seta first rental fee and a second rental fee in accordance with at leastone of (i) an initial state of the power storage device at a time ofstart of utilization, (ii) a driving history of the electric vehicleduring the utilization, and (iii) an environment history during theutilization, the first rental fee being a rental fee for a predeterminedperiod when the utilization manner of the power storage device isrental, the second rental fee being a rental fee for the predeterminedperiod when the utilization manner of the vehicle portion is rental.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent disclosure will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present disclosure when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a rental fee settingsystem according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an electricvehicle.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a user liststored in a management server.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a monthly fee setting process.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with a weight of the battery.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with a capacity of the battery.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with a manufacturer of the battery.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with a degree of initial deterioration of the battery.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with an amount of power consumption of the battery.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with the number of times of performing quick electriccharging to the battery.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with a utilization region of the battery.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with whether or not a utilization period of the battery is ina predefined period.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure withreference to figures in detail. It should be noted that the same orcorresponding portions in the figures are given the same referencecharacters and are not described repeatedly.

<Configuration of Rental Fee Setting System>

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a rental fee settingsystem 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1 ,rental fee setting system 1 according to the present embodiment includesa management server 100, and vehicles 200, 280 and 290 which areelectric vehicles.

Management server 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, astorage 104, a communication device 106, and a timer 108. Each componentis communicatively connected by a communication bus 101.

CPU 102 is configured to execute prescribed computation processing basedfor example on information stored in storage 104, information receivedfrom vehicle 200 via communication device 106, and/or the like.

Storage 104 includes, for example, a memory such as a ROM (Read OnlyMemory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a large-capacity storagedevice such as a hard disk or a solid state drive. Storage 104 stores,as a user list, users of a plurality of vehicles 200, 280 and 290, andrespective pieces of information about utilization manners of theelectric vehicles selected by the users, for example. Details of theuser list will be described later.

Communication device 106 is configured to communicate with acommunication device 202 of vehicle 200, for example. For example,communication device 106 and communication device 202 communicateinformation with each other through wireless communication.Communication device 106 and communication device 202 may communicatevia a relay point (a wireless base station), a prescribed communicationnetwork (for example, the Internet), or the like, or may not communicatevia a relay point, a prescribed communication network or the like.Further, communication device 106 is configured to similarly communicatewith both vehicle 280 and vehicle 290.

The wireless communications may be done in a wireless communicationsystem capable of transmitting and receiving signals via a relay pointutilizing a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) represented by IEEE802.11, a wireless communication standard for a mobile phone such as 2G,3G, 4G, 5G, etc., and the like, or may be done in a wirelesscommunication system capable of transmitting and receiving signalsdirectly between communication device 106 and communication device 202and for example utilizing a wireless communication standard such asBluetooth (Registered trademark) or the like.

Timer 108 counts the current date and time. For example, CPU 102 storesin storage 104 a result of counting time by timer 108. When reading thecurrent date and time from storage 104, CPU 102 may correct the currentdate and time by an externally received digital signal (standard radiowave) including date information and time information.

Vehicle 200 includes communication device 202, a controller 204, astorage 206, a battery monitoring unit 208, and a positional informationacquisition device 210. Each component is communicatively connected by acommunication bus 201.

Communication device 202 is configured to communicate with communicationdevice 106 of management server 100, for example. Communication device106 and communication device 202 wirelessly communicate as has beendescribed above, and accordingly, how they do so will not be describedredundantly.

Controller 204 includes, for example, a CPU 204 a, a memory 204 b (ROMand RAM), an input/output port for inputting and outputting varioussignals (not shown) and so forth. Controller 204 is configured toexecute prescribed computation processing based on the informationstored in memory 204 b and storage 206, information received frommanagement server 100 via communication device 202, and the like.

Storage 206 is a storage device that can store data of a larger sizethan memory 204 b, and is, for example, a storage device composed of anonvolatile memory, a hard disk, a solid state drive, or the like. Forexample, storage 206 stores: a driving history of vehicle 200 (such as atraveled route); a quick electric charging history indicating the numberof times of performing quick electric charging; a history of SOC (StateOf Charge) of battery 214 (see FIG. 2 ) mounted in vehicle 200; andhistories of voltage, current, and temperature of the battery; and thelike.

Battery monitoring unit 208 detects a state of a battery 214 mounted invehicle 200. Battery monitoring unit 208 detects, for example, battery214's voltage, current and temperature. Battery monitoring unit 208calculates an estimated value of the SOC of battery 214 by using forexample the detected voltage, current and temperature of battery 214.The SOC may be estimated using a well-known technique, and it will notbe described specifically. Note that the SOC may be estimated bycontroller 204 rather than battery monitoring unit 208.

Positional information acquisition device 210 is configured to obtainthe current position of vehicle 200. For example, positional informationacquisition device 210 may obtain the current position of vehicle 200 byusing GPS (Global Positioning System), or may obtain the currentposition of vehicle 200 by using positional information of a wirelesscommunication device located outside vehicle 200 and capable ofcommunicating with communication device 106. Positional informationacquisition device 210 transmits to controller 204 a signal indicatingthe current position of vehicle 200 as obtained. It should be noted thatcontroller 204 causes storage 206 to store a variety of informationbased on the signals received from battery monitoring unit 208,positional information acquisition device 210, and the like.

Vehicle 200 is an electric vehicle using an electric motor as a drivingpower source. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configurationof an electric vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 2 , vehicle 200 further includes a charger 212, battery214, an inverter 216, a motor generator 218, and an inlet 220.

When a charging connector 302 of a quick charging stand 300 is attachedto inlet 220, charger 212 charges battery 214 with power supplied froman external power supply 400.

Battery 214 is configured using, for example, a secondary battery suchas a nickel metal hydride battery or a lithium ion battery. Battery 214may be any power storage device capable of storing power, and forexample, a large-capacity capacitor may be used instead of battery 214.

Inverter 216 is a power conversion device which converts power betweenAC power and DC power. Inverter 216 may for example convert DC power ofbattery 214 into AC power and supply it to motor generator 218. Further,inverter 216 may for example receive AC power (regenerative power) frommotor generator 218, convert it into DC power, and supply it to battery214 to electrically charge battery 214 therewith.

Motor generator 218 receives power supplied from inverter 216 andprovides rotational force to a drive wheel 222. Drive wheel 222 isrotated by the rotational force provided by motor generator 218 to drivevehicle 200.

Inlet 220 is provided in vehicle 200 at an exterior portion of vehicle200 together with a cover (not shown) such as a lid. Inlet 220 has ashape allowing charging connector 302 to be attached thereto. Inlet 220and charging connector 302 both have contacts, respectively,incorporated therein, and when charging connector 302 is attached toinlet 220, the contacts come into contact with each other, and inlet 220and charging connector 302 are thus electrically connected together.

Quick charging stand 300 is installed outside vehicle 200 and connectedto charging connector 302 via a charging cable 304. Quick charging stand300 is electrically connected to power supply 400, and when chargingconnector 302 is attached to inlet 220, the power of power supply 400 issupplied via quick charging stand 300, charging cable 304, and chargingconnector 302 to vehicle 200. Quick charging stand 300 is capable ofquick electric charging by which electric charging is completed inseveral tens of minutes by supplying battery 214 with a larger amount ofcharging current than that in normal charging that requires severalhours to complete.

Vehicles 280 and 290 are similar in configuration to vehicle 200.Accordingly, they will not be described redundantly.

<Utilization Manner of Electric Vehicle>

In the present embodiment, for example, as a utilization manner of anelectric vehicle, a user can select one of the following utilizationmanners: a utilization manner (hereinafter, also referred to as “batterylease”) in which a battery mounted in the electric vehicle is renteduntil a predetermined contract period (one year or a plurality of years)passes; a utilization manner (hereinafter, also referred to as “vehiclelease”) in which a vehicle portion of the electric vehicle other thanthe battery portion is rented until a predetermined contract periodpasses; and a utilization manner (hereinafter, also referred to as“vehicle lease+battery lease”) in which both the battery lease and thevehicle lease are employed.

For example, for utilization of the electric vehicle, the user canpurchase only the vehicle portion and select the battery lease, canpurchase only the battery and select the vehicle lease, or can selectthe vehicle lease+battery lease.

When a contract for utilizing the electric vehicle is made between theuser and a business entity that utilizes management server 100,management server 100 updates the user list in response to inputtinginformation for specifying the user and information such as theutilization manner selected by the user, and stores the updated userlist into storage 104. For example, management server 100 performs aprocess for setting a rental fee for the user for whom a fee is to beset, whenever a predetermined period (for example, one month) shorterthan the predetermined contract period passes. It should be noted thatmanagement server 100 determines whether or not the predetermined periodhas passed using timer 108, for example.

When the vehicle portion and the battery portion are rented in theabove-described utilization manner, a degree of deterioration may differbetween the battery portion and the vehicle portion depending on how theelectric vehicle is utilized. Therefore, when the user selects autilization manner such as one described above, it is required to set anappropriate rental fee for the selected utilization manner incomprehensive consideration of various characteristics associated witheach of the battery portion and the vehicle portion.

In view of the above, in the present embodiment, management server 100is configured to store an indication as to whether or not the batterylease is employed and store an indication as to whether or not thevehicle lease is employed, and is configured to set a first rental feeand a second rental fee in accordance with at least one of (i) aninitial state of the battery portion at the time of start of theutilization, (ii) a driving history of the electric vehicle during theutilization, and (iii) an environment history during the utilization,the first rental fee being a rental fee for a predetermined period inthe case of the battery lease, the second rental fee being a rental feefor the predetermined period in the case of the vehicle lease. In thepresent embodiment, management server 100 corresponds to a “rental feesetting apparatus.”

In this way, these first rental fee and second rental fee can be setappropriately, whereby the user can obtain a high degree of satisfactionabout the rental fee.

It should be noted that it will be illustratively described below thatthe predetermined period is assumed to be one month. Therefore, thefirst rental fee for the predetermined period will be described as“first monthly fee”, whereas the second rental fee for the predeterminedperiod will be described as “second monthly fee”. Moreover, it will bedescribed below that battery 214 of vehicle 200 is a subject for thebattery lease and the portion of vehicle 200 other than battery 214 is asubject for the vehicle lease.

<Registration of Various Types of Information to User List>

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the user liststored in management server 100. As shown in FIG. 3 , in the presentembodiment, when a contract for utilizing the electric vehicle is madebetween the user and the business entity that utilizes management server100, management server 100 receives: an user ID for specifying the user;an indication as to whether or not a contract of the vehicle lease ismade; an indication as to whether or not a contract of the battery leaseis made; information as to a manufacturer of battery 214; information asto a weight of battery 214; information as to a capacity of battery 214;and information as to a degree of deterioration in the initial state ofbattery 214 (hereinafter, referred to as “degree of initialdeterioration). These received various types of information areregistered into the user list. It is shown that: the degree of initialdeterioration indicates a ratio of a full charge capacity (ratedcapacity) of battery 214 to a full charge capacity of a new batteryhaving the same specification (battery type and the number of cells arethe same); as the degree of initial deterioration is smaller, the fullcharge capacity of battery 214 becomes closer to that of the new batteryhaving the same specification; and as the degree of initialdeterioration is larger, the full charge capacity of battery 214 becomeslower than the full charge capacity of the new battery having the samespecification.

<Setting of Monthly Fee>

When a month ends and a subsequent month starts (or the first date of amonth arrives) or when one month has elapsed since a time point at whichutilization of an electric vehicle started, management server 100 sets afee, based on matters registered in the user list, for a period of timefrom one month before to the day before, for example.

Management server 100 makes reference to the user list to set a basicfee of the first monthly fee and a basic fee of the second monthly feefor a user (with a user ID of 001 in FIG. 3 ) of the vehiclelease+battery lease, for example.

The basic fee of the first monthly fee and the basic fee of the secondmonthly fee are fees determined in advance based on the sizes, baseprices, and the like of vehicle 200 and battery 214.

For example, for a user (with a user ID of 002 in FIG. 3 ) of only thevehicle lease, management server 100 makes reference to the user list toset the first monthly fee to zero and set the basic fee of the secondmonthly fee.

For example, for a user (with a user ID of 003 in FIG. 3 ) of only thebattery lease, management server 100 makes reference to the user list toset the basic fee of the first monthly fee and set the second monthlyfee to zero.

Furthermore, management server 100 sets a discount rate for the basicfee of the first monthly fee or a discount rate for the basic fee of thesecond monthly fee in accordance with the initial state of battery 214at the time of start of the utilization, the driving history of theelectric vehicle during the utilization, and the environment historyduring the utilization, applies the respective set discount rates to thebasic fee of the first monthly fee and the basic fee of the secondmonthly fee, and confirms the total fee as a monthly fee to be billed tothe user.

<Monthly Fee Setting Process>

Hereinafter, a monthly fee setting process will be described in detailwith reference to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the monthly feesetting process. In the present embodiment, the monthly fee settingprocess will be described as being executed by management server 100(specifically, CPU 102 of management server 100) for the sake ofillustration. While each step shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 isimplemented by software processing done by management server 100, a partthereof may be implemented by hardware (or electric circuitry)fabricated in management server 100.

In step (“S”) 100, management server 100 determines whether or not acondition for executing the fee setting process is established. Forexample, management server 100 determines that the condition forexecuting the fee setting process is established when one month haselapsed since a time point at which the previous fee setting process wasperformed or when the current date is the first date of a month. When itis determined that the condition for executing the fee setting processis established (YES in S100), the process proceeds to S102.

In S102, management server 100 specifies a user for whom a fee is to beset. Management server 100 specifies as a user for whom a fee is to beset a user for whom the fee setting process is still not done after thecondition for executing the fee setting process has been established.When it is determined that the condition for executing the fee settingprocess has been established, management server 100 sets off aprocessing flag set for each of user IDs registered in the user list forexample. Whenever a fee is set, management server 100 sets on aprocessing flag corresponding to a user ID for which the fee has beenset. That is, management server 100 specifies a user ID with aprocessing flag set off as a user for whom the fee setting process isstill not done.

In S104, management server 100 obtains the driving history andenvironment history of the electric vehicle utilized by the user withthe specified user ID. Specifically, management server 100 transmits, tothe vehicle corresponding to the specified user ID, a transmissionrequest signal for the driving history and environment history of theelectric vehicle.

In response to the transmission request for the driving history andenvironment history from management server 100, controller 204transmits, to management server 100, the driving history and environmenthistory stored in storage 206.

Controller 204 of vehicle 200 obtains the driving history andenvironment history during the utilization, and stores them into storage206.

For example, the driving history includes: the number of times ofperforming the quick electric charging; and an amount of powerconsumption in battery 214. For example, whenever the quick electriccharging is performed (whenever an operation from the start tocompletion of the quick electric charging is performed), controller 204increases, one by one, the count value of the number of times ofperforming the quick electric charging, and stores it into storage 206.When transmitting the driving history to management server 100 inresponse to the transmission request, controller 204 resets the countvalue of the number of times of performing the quick electric charge toan initial value of zero. It should be noted that for example,controller 204 may determine that quick electric charging is beingperformed when the amount of the charging current for battery 214 duringexternal charging using quick charging stand 300 is more than or equalto a threshold value.

Moreover, whenever a predetermined time passes, controller 204calculates the amount of power consumption and integrates it. Whentransmitting the driving history to management server 100 in response tothe transmission request, controller 204 resets the amount of powerconsumption to an initial value of zero.

The environmental history includes a history (that is, traveled route)of positions of vehicle 200 obtained by positional informationacquisition device 210 during the utilization, for example. For example,whenever a predetermined time passes, controller 204 obtains the currentposition of vehicle 200 to obtain the traveled route of vehicle 200, andstores it into storage 206. When transmitting the environment history tomanagement server 100 in response to the transmission request,controller 204 deletes the traveled route up to that time.

In S106, management server 100 determines whether or not the utilizationmanner of the user for whom a fee is to be set is the battery lease. Forexample, management server 100 makes reference to the user list storedin storage 104 to determine whether or not the utilization manner of theuser for whom a fee is to be set is the battery lease. When it isdetermined that the utilization manner of the user for whom a fee is tobe set is the battery lease (YES in S106), the process proceeds to S108.

In S108, management server 100 sets a basic fee A(0) of the firstmonthly fee. Basic fee A(0) is a predefined fee set based on the baseprice of battery 214 and/or the like, for example.

In S110, management server 100 sets a discount rate A(1) based on theweight of battery 214. Discount rate A(1) is set to allow the firstmonthly fee to be a different fee when only the weight of battery 214 isdifferent, for example.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with the weight of the battery. As shown in FIG. 5 , forexample, weights of batteries are classified by a plurality of thresholdvalues (e.g., a first threshold value for dividing a large value areaand a medium value area and a second threshold value for dividing themedium value area and a small value area) into the large, medium andsmall value areas, and a map in which a discount rate is set for eachclassification is previously stored in storage 104. Management server100 makes reference to the map to set a different discount rate A(1)depending on what classification the weight of battery 214 at the timeof start of the utilization corresponds to.

Here, the time of start of the utilization means a time point at whichthe battery and/or vehicle for the lease are provided, and means a timepoint at which the battery is replaced in the case of replacing thebattery.

For example, when the weight of battery 214 falls within the large valuearea, management server 100 sets a discount rate A(1) of 0%. Further,when the weight of battery 214 falls within the medium value area,management server 100 sets a discount rate A(1) of 2%. Moreover, whenthe weight of battery 214 falls within the small value area, managementserver 100 sets a discount rate A(1) of 5%. The numerical values of thediscount rates described above and below are mere examples and are not alimitation. Furthermore, while the discount rates described above andbelow are described by referring as one example to a case of settingthem in three stages, they may be set in a plurality of stages such astwo or four or more stages.

Returning to FIG. 4 , in S112, management server 100 sets a discountrate A(2) based on the capacity (rated capacity) of battery 214.Discount rate A(2) is set to allow the first monthly fee to be adifferent fee when only the capacity of battery 214 is different, forexample.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with the capacity of the battery. As shown in FIG. 6 , forexample, capacities of batteries are classified by a plurality ofthreshold values (e.g., a first threshold value for dividing a largevalue area and a medium value area and a second threshold value fordividing the medium value area and a small value area) into the large,medium and small value areas, and a map in which a discount rate is setfor each classification is previously stored in storage 104. Managementserver 100 makes reference to the map to set a different discount rateA(2) depending on what classification the capacity of battery 214 at thetime of start of the utilization corresponds to.

For example, when the capacity of battery 214 falls within the largevalue area, management server 100 sets a discount rate A(2) of 0%. Whenthe capacity of battery 214 falls within the medium value area,management server 100 sets a discount rate A(2) of 2%. Moreover, whenthe capacity of battery 214 falls within the small value area,management server 100 sets a discount rate A(2) of 5%.

Returning to FIG. 4 , in S114, management server 100 sets a discountrate A(3) based on the manufacturer of battery 214. Discount rate A(3)is set to allow the first monthly fee to be a different fee when onlythe manufacturer of battery 214 is different, for example.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with the manufacturer of battery 214. As shown in FIG. 7 ,for example, a plurality of manufacturers of batteries are classifiedinto an A rank, a B rank, and a C rank in the order from the one havingthe highest evaluation in terms of input/output performance, durability,and the like, and a map in which a discount rate is set for eachclassification is previously stored in storage 104. Management server100 makes reference to the map to set a different discount rate A(3)depending on what classification the manufacturer of battery 214 at thetime of start of the utilization corresponds to.

It should be noted that the A rank represents a manufacturer thatmanufactures a battery with comparatively high input/output performanceand durability, for example. On the other hand, the C rank represents amanufacturer that manufactures a battery with comparatively lowinput/output performance and durability, for example.

For example, when the manufacturer of battery 214 is a manufacturer ofthe A rank, management server 100 sets a discount rate A(3) of 5%. Onthe other hand, when the manufacturer of battery 214 is a manufacturerof the B rank, management server 100 sets a discount rate A(3) of 2%.Moreover, when the manufacturer of battery 214 is a manufacturer of theC rank, management server 100 sets a discount rate A(3) of 0%.

Returning to FIG. 4 , in S116, management server 100 sets a discountrate A(4) based on the degree of initial deterioration of battery 214.Discount rate A(4) is set to allow the first monthly fee to be adifferent fee when only the degree of initial deterioration of battery214 is different, for example.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with the degree of initial deterioration of battery 214. Asshown in FIG. 8 , for example, degrees of initial deterioration ofbatteries are classified by a plurality of threshold values (e.g., afirst threshold value for dividing a large value area and a medium valuearea and a second threshold value for dividing the medium value area anda small value area) into the large, medium and small value areas, and amap in which a discount rate is set for each classification ispreviously stored in storage 104. Management server 100 makes referenceto the map to set a different discount rate A(1) depending on whatclassification the degree of initial deterioration of battery 214 at thetime of start of the utilization corresponds to.

For example, when the degree of initial deterioration of battery 214falls within the large value area, management server 100 sets a discountrate A(4) of 5%. When the degree of initial deterioration of battery 214falls within the medium value area, management server 100 sets adiscount rate A(4) of 2%. When the degree of initial deterioration ofbattery 214 falls within the small value area, management server 100sets a discount rate A(4) of 0%.

Returning to FIG. 4 , in S118, management server 100 sets a discountrate A(5) based on the amount of power consumption of battery 214.Discount rate A(5) is set to allow the first monthly fee to be adifferent fee when only the amount of power consumption of battery 214during the utilization is different, for example. FIG. 9 is a diagramfor illustrating an exemplary discount rate set in accordance with theamount of power consumption of the battery. As shown in FIG. 9 , forexample, amounts of power consumption of batteries are classified by aplurality of threshold values (e.g., a first threshold value fordividing a large value area and a medium value area and a secondthreshold value for dividing the medium value area and a small valuearea) into the large, medium and small value areas, and a map in which adiscount rate is set for each classification is previously stored instorage 104. Management server 100 makes reference to the map to set adifferent discount rate A(5) depending on what classification the amountof power consumption of battery 214 during the utilization in oneimmediately preceding month corresponds to. For example, when the amountof power consumption of battery 214 falls within the large value area,management server 100 sets a discount rate A(5) of 0%. When the amountof power consumption of battery 214 falls within the medium value area,management server 100 sets a discount rate A(5) of 2%. When the amountof power consumption of battery 214 falls within the small value area,management server 100 sets a discount rate A(5) of 5%.

Returning to FIG. 4 , in S120, management server 100 sets a discountrate A(6) based on the number of times of performing quick electriccharging to battery 214. Discount rate A(6) is set to allow the firstmonthly fee to be a different fee when only the number of times ofperforming the quick electric charging to battery 214 during theutilization is different, for example.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with the number of times of performing quick electriccharging to the battery. As shown in FIG. 10 , for example, the numbersof times of performing quick electric charging to batteries areclassified by a plurality of threshold values (e.g., a first thresholdvalue for dividing a large value area and a medium value area and asecond threshold value for dividing the medium value area and a smallvalue area) into the large, medium and small value areas, and a map inwhich a discount rate is set for each classification is previouslystored in storage 104. The management server makes reference to the mapto set a different discount rate A(6) depending on what classificationthe number of times of performing the quick electric charging to battery214 during the utilization in one immediately preceding monthcorresponds to. For example, when the number of times of performingquick electric charging falls within the large value area, managementserver 100 sets a discount rate A(6) of 0%. When the number of times ofperforming quick electric charging falls within the medium value area,management server 100 sets a discount rate A(6) of 2%. When the numberof times of performing quick electric charging falls within the smallvalue area, management server 100 sets a discount rate A(6) of 5%.

Returning to FIG. 4 , in S122, management server 100 sets a discountrate A(7) based on a utilization region in which battery 214 isutilized. Discount rate A(6) is set to allow the first monthly fee to bea different fee when only whether or not the utilization region ofbattery 214 is in a predefined region is different, for example.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with the utilization region of the battery. As shown in FIG.11 , for example, an A region, a B region, and a C region are set in theorder from the one causing the highest degree of deterioration in viewof whether or not the temperature environment has an influence over thedegree of deterioration, and a map in which a discount rate is set foreach region is previously stored in storage 104. Management server 100makes reference to the map to set a different discount rate A(7)depending on what region the utilization region of battery 214 in oneimmediately preceding month corresponds to.

It should be noted that the A region represents a region located in acomparatively high temperature environment and causing a high degree ofdeterioration, for example. The C region represents a region located ina temperature environment in a temperature range appropriate for battery214 and causing a small degree of deterioration.

For example, when the utilization region of battery 214 is in the Aregion, management server 100 sets a discount rate A(7) of 0%. Moreover,when the utilization region of battery 214 is in the B region,management server 100 sets a discount rate A(7) of 2%. Moreover, whenthe utilization region of battery 214 is in the C region, managementserver 100 sets a discount rate A(7) of 5%.

Returning to FIG. 4 , in S124, management server 100 sets a discountrate A(8) based on the utilization period of battery 214. Discount rateA(8) is set to allow the first monthly fee to be a different fee whenonly whether or not the utilization period is in a predefined period isdifferent, for example.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary discount rate set inaccordance with whether or not the utilization period of the battery isin the predefined period. As shown in FIG. 12 , for example, an Aperiod, a B period, and a C period are set in the order from the onecausing the highest degree of deterioration in view of whether or notthe temperature environment has an influence over the degree ofdeterioration, and a map in which a discount rate is set for each periodis previously stored in storage 104. Management server 100 makesreference to the map to set a different discount rate A(8) depending onwhat period the utilization period of battery 214 in one immediatelypreceding month corresponds to.

It should be noted that the A period is a period that corresponds tosummer and that may involve a comparatively high temperatureenvironment, for example. The C period is a period that corresponds tospring or autumn and that may involve a temperature environment in atemperature range appropriate for battery 214, for example. It should benoted that the B period is a period that corresponds to winter, forexample.

For example, when the utilization period of battery 214 is in the Aperiod, management server 100 sets a discount rate A(8) of 0%. Moreover,when the utilization period of battery 214 is in the B period,management server 100 sets a discount rate A(8) of 2%. Moreover, whenthe utilization period of battery 214 is in the C period, managementserver 100 sets a discount rate A(8) of 5%.

Returning to FIG. 4 , in S126, management server 100 calculates thefirst monthly fee. Specifically, management server 100 calculates adiscount amount by multiplying the total of discount rates A(1) to A(8)by the basic fee of the first monthly fee, and calculates, as the firstmonthly fee, a value obtained by subtracting the discount amount frombasic fee A(0).

It should be noted that when management server 100 determines that theutilization manner of the user for whom a fee is to be set is not thebattery lease (NO in S106), management server 100 sets the first monthlyfee to zero in S128.

In S130, management server 100 determines whether or not the utilizationmanner of the user for whom a fee is to be set is the vehicle lease. Forexample, management server 100 makes reference to the user list storedin storage 104 to determine whether or not the utilization manner of theuser for whom a fee is to be set is the vehicle lease. When it isdetermined that the utilization manner of the user for whom a fee is tobe set is the vehicle lease (YES in S130), the process proceeds to S132.

In S132, management server 100 sets a basic fee B(0) of the secondmonthly fee. Basic fee B(0) is a predefined fee set based on the baseprice of vehicle 200 or the like, for example.

In S134, management server 100 sets a discount rate B(1) based on theweight of battery 214. Discount rate B(1) is set to allow the secondmonthly fee to be a different fee when only the weight of battery 214 isdifferent, for example.

For example, weights of batteries are classified by a plurality ofthreshold values set in the view of a load of the vehicle or the like(e.g., a first threshold value for dividing a large value area and amedium value area and a second threshold value for dividing the mediumvalue area and a small value area) into the large, medium and smallvalue areas, and a map in which a discount rate is set for eachclassification is previously stored in storage 104. Management server100 makes reference to the map to set a different discount rate B(1)depending on what classification the weight of battery 214 at the timeof start of the utilization corresponds to. For the map, a mapcorresponding to the map shown in FIG. 5 is set, for example.

Hence, when the weight of battery 214 falls within the large value area,management server 100 sets a discount rate B(1) of 0%, for example.Moreover, when the weight of battery 214 falls within the medium valuearea, management server 100 sets a discount rate B(1) of 2%. Moreover,when the weight of battery 214 falls within the small value area,management server 100 sets a discount rate B(1) of 5%.

In S136, management server 100 sets a discount rate B(2) based on theutilization region of vehicle 200. Discount rate B(2) is set to allowthe second monthly fee to be a different fee when only whether or notthe utilization region of vehicle 200 is in a predefined region isdifferent, for example.

For example, an A′ region, a B′ region and a C′ region are set in theorder from the one causing the highest degree of deterioration in viewof whether or not the region has an influence over the degree ofdeterioration of vehicle 200, for example, whether or not the regionprovides many opportunities to travel on a road on which ananti-freezing agent is scattered, and a map in which a discount rate isset for each region is previously stored in storage 104. Managementserver 100 makes reference to the map to set a different discount rateB(2) depending on what region the utilization region of vehicle 200 inone immediately preceding month corresponds to.

It should be noted that the A′ region represents a region providing moreopportunities to travel on a road on which an anti-freezing agent isscattered, for example. The C′ region represents a region providing lessopportunities to travel on a road on which an anti-freezing agent isscattered. Moreover, for the map, a map corresponding to the map shownin FIG. 11 is set, for example.

Hence, when the utilization region of vehicle 200 is in the A′ region,management server 100 sets a discount rate B(2) of 0%, for example.Moreover, when the utilization region of vehicle 200 is in the B′region, management server 100 sets a discount rate B(2) of 2%. Moreover,when the utilization region of vehicle 200 is in the C′ region,management server 100 sets a discount rate B(2) of 5%.

In S138, management server 100 sets a discount rate B(3) based on theutilization period of battery 214. Discount rate B(3) is set to allowthe second monthly fee to be a different fee when only whether or notthe utilization period of battery 214 is in a predefined period isdifferent, for example.

For example, an A′ period, a B′ period, and a C′ period are set in theorder from the one causing the highest degree of deterioration in viewof whether or not the road environment has an influence over the degreeof deterioration, and a map in which a discount rate is set for eachperiod is previously stored in storage 104. Management server 100 makesreference to the map to set a different discount rate A(3) depending onwhat period the utilization period of vehicle 200 corresponds to.

It should be noted that for example, the A′ period is a period thatcorresponds to winter and that provides more opportunities to travel ona road on which an anti-freezing agent is scattered. The C′ period is aperiod that corresponds to summer and that provides less opportunitiesto travel on a road on which an anti-freezing agent is scattered, forexample. Moreover, for the map, a map corresponding to the map shown inFIG. 12 is set, for example.

Hence, for example, when the utilization period of vehicle 200 is in theA′ period, management server 100 set a discount rate B(3) of 0%.Moreover, when the utilization period of vehicle 200 is in the B′period, management server 100 sets a discount rate B(3) of 2%. Moreover,when the utilization period of vehicle 200 is in the C′ period,management server 100 sets a discount rate B(3) of 5%.

In S140, management server 100 calculates the second monthly fee.

Specifically, management server 100 calculates a discount amount bymultiplying the total of discount rates B(1) to B(3) by the basic fee ofthe second monthly fee, and sets, as the second monthly fee, a valueobtained by subtracting the discount amount from the basic fee.

In S142, management server 100 sets a total of the first monthly fee andsecond monthly fee as a total monthly fee. Management server 100 mayperform a billing process for billing the set total monthly fee to theuser, management server 100 may perform a settlement process forsettling up the set total monthly fee if the user has selected automaticpayment using information such as a credit card registered in advance,or management server 100 may notify the total monthly fee to a mobileterminal owned by the user. On this occasion, management server 100 maynotify details of discount rates A(1) to A(8) and B(1) to B(3) to themobile terminal of the user, for example.

It should be noted that when management server 100 determines that theutilization manner of the user for whom a fee is to be set is not thevehicle lease (NO in S130), management server 100 sets the secondmonthly fee to zero in S144.

<Operation of Management Server 100 Serving as Rental Fee SettingApparatus>

An operation of management server 100 which is a rental fee settingapparatus based on the above configuration and flowchart will now bedescribed. For example, it is assumed that a fee is to be set for theuser of vehicle 200 or battery 214. Also, it is assumed that theutilization manner of the user is the vehicle lease+battery lease.

When it is determined that a period of one month has elapsed sinceprevious setting of a fee and a condition for executing a fee settingprocess is established (YES in S100), a user for whom a fee is to be setis specified (S102) and driving history and environment history areobtained from vehicle 200 utilized by the user for whom a fee is to beset (S104). When the utilization manner of the user for whom a fee is tobe set is the battery lease (YES in S106), basic fee A(0) of the firstmonthly fee is set. Then, discount rate A(1) based on the weight ofbattery 214 is set (S110). Discount rate A(2) based on the capacity ofbattery 214 is set (S112). Discount rate A(3) based on the manufacturerof battery 214 is set (S114). Discount rate A(4) based on the degree ofinitial deterioration of battery 214 is set (S116). Discount rate A(5)based on the amount of power consumption of battery 214 in oneimmediately preceding month is set (S118). Discount rate A(6) based onthe number of times of performing the quick electric charging to battery214 in one immediately preceding month is set (S120). Discount rate A(7)based on the utilization region in one immediately preceding month isset (S122). Discount rate A(8) is set based on the utilization period(S124). Then, the total of discount rates A(1) to A(8) thus set andbasic fee A(0) are multiplied to calculate a discount amount and thediscount amount is subtracted from basic fee A(0), thereby determiningthe first monthly fee (S126).

Further, since the vehicle lease is also included in the utilizationmanner of the user (YES in S130), basic fee B(0) of the second monthlyfee is set. Discount rate B(1) is set based on the weight of battery 214(S134). Discount rate B(2) based on the utilization region of vehicle200 in one immediately preceding month is set (S136). Discount rate B(3)is set based on the utilization period (S138). Then, the total ofdiscount rates B(1) to B(3) thus set and basic fee B(0) are multipliedto calculate a discount amount and the discount amount is subtractedfrom basic fee B(0), thereby determining the second monthly fee (S140).Based on the total of the determined first monthly fee and secondmonthly fee, the total monthly fee is set (S142).

It should be noted that when the utilization manner of the user for whoma fee is to be set is only the battery lease (YES in S106 and NO inS130), the second monthly fee is set to zero (S144) after the firstmonthly fee is set. When the utilization manner of the user for whom afee is to be set is only the vehicle lease (NO in S106 and YES in S130),the second monthly fee is set (S140) after the first monthly fee is setto zero (S128). Since the setting of the first monthly fee and thesetting of the second monthly fee are described above, detaileddescription thereof will not be repeated. Moreover, since the monthlyfees of the users of vehicles 280 and 290 are set in the same manner asabove, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<Function and Effect of Rental Fee Setting Apparatus>

As described above, according to the rental fee setting apparatusaccording to the present embodiment, each of the first monthly fee andsecond monthly fee can be set appropriately in accordance with (i) theinitial state of battery 214 at the time of start of the utilization,(ii) the driving history of the electric vehicle during the utilization,and (iii) the environmental history during the utilization. Accordingly,the user can obtain a high degree of satisfaction about the fee. Hence,there can be provided a rental fee setting apparatus, a rental feesetting method, and a rental fee setting system, by each of which anappropriate rental fee is set in accordance with a selected utilizationmanner in comprehensive consideration of characteristics associated witheach of a battery portion and a vehicle portion of an electric vehicle.

Further, when the weight of the battery at the time of start of theutilization is different, a load applied to the vehicle portion becomesdifferent depending on the weight, or the capacity of the batterybecomes different. Therefore, by setting a different fee when the weightis different (a fee discounted at a larger discount rate as the weightis smaller, for example), the first monthly fee and second monthly feecan be set appropriately.

Further, when the capacity of the battery at the time of start of theutilization is different, the cost of the battery becomes different.Therefore, by setting a different fee (a fee discounted at a largerdiscount rate as the capacity is smaller, for example), the firstmonthly fee can be set appropriately.

Further, depending on battery manufacturers, batteries having the samecapacity have different input/output performances and durability.Therefore, by setting a different fee (a fee discounted at a largerdiscount rate for a battery of a manufacturer with lower input/outputperformance and durability, for example), the first monthly fee can beset appropriately.

Further, as the amount of power consumption of the battery in one monthfalls within the large value area, the deterioration of the battery maybe promoted. Therefore, the first monthly fee can be set appropriatelyby setting a different fee (a fee discounted at a larger discount rateas the amount of power consumption is in a smaller value area, forexample) among a case where the amount of power consumption is in thelarge value area, a case where the amount of power consumption is in themedium value area, and a case where the amount of power consumption isin the small value area.

Further, as the number of times of performing the quick electriccharging in one month is in a larger value area, the deterioration ofthe battery may be more promoted. Therefore, the first monthly fee canbe set appropriately by setting a different fee (a fee discounted at alarger discount rate as the number of times of performing the quickelectric charging is in a smaller value area, for example) among a casewhere the number of times of performing the quick electric charging isin the large value area, a case where the number of times of performingthe quick electric charging is in the medium value area, and a casewhere the number of times of performing the quick electric charging isin the small value area.

Further, when the region providing many opportunities to travel on aroad on which an anti-freezing agent is scattered is the utilizationregion, the deterioration of the vehicle portion may be promoted ascompared with a case where the region providing few opportunities is theutilization regions. Meanwhile, when a region with a comparatively hightemperature is the utilization region, the deterioration of the batterymay be promoted as compared with a case where a region with acomparatively low temperature is the utilization region. Therefore, eachof the first monthly fee and second monthly fee can be set appropriatelyby setting a fee in accordance with the utilization region (a feediscounted at a smaller discount rate as the region further promotesdeterioration of the vehicle or the battery, for example).

Further, when the utilization period is winter, there are moreopportunities to travel on a road on which an anti-freezing agent isscattered than those in the other seasons, so that the deterioration ofthe vehicle portion may be promoted. Meanwhile, when the utilizationperiod is summer, the temperature environment becomes higher than thosein the other seasons, so that the deterioration of the battery may bepromoted. Therefore, the first monthly fee and second monthly fee can beset appropriately by setting a fee in accordance with the utilizationperiod (a fee discounted at a smaller discount rate as the period is aperiod further promoting deterioration of the vehicle or the battery,for example).

<Modifications>

While the above embodiment has been described with a discount rate setto be applied to a basic fee, the embodiment is not particularly limitedto setting a discount rate as long as a fee is substantially discounted.For example, instead of a discount rate, a returning rate associatedwith a monthly fee may be set and applied to provide a rebate by cash, avoucher or a variety of types of points.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described thatdiscount rates A(1) to A(8) and discount rates B(1) to B(3) are set;however, for example, at least one of discount rates A(1) to A(8) anddiscount rates B(1) to B(3) may be set and the embodiment is notparticularly limited to setting all these discount rates. For example,discount rates may be set which respectively correspond to the initialstate of the battery at the time of start of the utilization, thedriving history of the electric vehicle during the utilization, and theenvironment history during the utilization.

The discount rate corresponding to the initial state of the battery atthe time of start of the utilization may include at least one ofdiscount rates A(1), A(2), A(3), A(4) and B(1), for example. Thediscount rate corresponding to the driving history of the electricvehicle during the utilization may include at least one of discountrates A(5) and A(6), for example. The discount rate corresponding to theenvironment history during the utilization includes at least one ofA(7), A(8), B(2), and B(3), for example.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been illustrativelydescribed that as a utilization manner for allowing the user to utilizethe electric vehicle and collecting a fee from the user, the discountrate is set for the following lease type utilization manner: theelectric vehicle or the battery is rented until a predetermined contractperiod (one year or a plurality of years) passes. However, for example,the above-described discount rate may be set for a rental typeutilization manner in which a fee for a predetermined time is set and afee corresponding to a time of utilization is collected, or theabove-described discount rate may be set for a sharing type utilizationmanner in which a plurality of persons shares one or more electricvehicles or batteries, a fee is set for each predetermined period (forexample, one month) until a predetermined contract period passes, and afee corresponding to a time of utilization is collected.

While the above embodiment has been described with a discount rate setto be applied to a basic fee, a partial basic fee corresponding to eachof the discount rates A(1) to A(8) may be set and a total sum thereofmay be set as a monthly fee, or an extra rate applied to a basic fee maybe set and an extra amount may thus be added to the basic fee to set amonthly fee, or a discounted item and an extra item may be used and forthe discounted item a discount rate may be set whereas for the extraitem an extra rate may be set to thus set a discounted amount and anextra amount, and the discounted amount may be subtracted from the basicfee and the extra amount may be added to the basic fee to thus set amonthly fee.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described thatdiscount rates A(1) and B(1) based on the weight, discount rate A(2)based on the capacity, discount rate A(3) based on the manufacturer, anddiscount rate A(4) based on the degree of initial deterioration are setbased on the matters described in the user list registered when thelease contract is made; however, these pieces of information may beobtained from vehicle 200, for example.

It should be noted that the above modifications may be implemented alltogether or may partially be implemented in combination.

Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scopeof the present disclosure being interpreted by the terms of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rental fee setting apparatus for an electricvehicle in which a power storage device is mounted, the rental feesetting apparatus comprising a central processing unit (CPU) andcommunicating wirelessly with the electric vehicle, wherein the CPU isprogrammed to: store (i) an indication whether or not a utilizationmanner of the power storage device is rental and (ii) an indicationwhether a utilization manner of a vehicle portion of the electricvehicle other than the power storage device is rental; set a firstrental fee and a second rental fee based on at least one of (i) aninitial state of the power storage device at a time of start ofutilization, (ii) a driving history of the electric vehicle during theutilization, and (iii) an environment history during the utilization,the first rental fee being a rental fee for a predetermined period whenthe utilization manner of the power storage device is rental, and thesecond rental fee being a rental fee for the predetermined period whenthe utilization manner of the vehicle portion is rental; cause a batterymonitoring unit of the electric vehicle to detect a voltage, a currentand a temperature of the power storage device, and calculate a value ofstate of charge (SOC) of the power storage device by using the detectedvoltage, current and temperature of the power storage device with thebattery monitoring unit of the electric vehicle; wherein the CPU isconfigured to set a different fee for at least one of the first rentalfee and the second rental fee between a case where a utilization regionis in a predefined region until the predetermined period passes and acase where the utilization region is outside the predefined region untilthe predetermined period passes, the utilization region being specifiedfrom the environment history, wherein the CPU is configured to receive ahistory of position acquired for each predetermined period during usingthe electric vehicle from a position information acquisition unit of theelectric vehicle, and determine whether or not a use area specified bythe history of the received position is a predetermined area, and thepredetermined area is any one of a plurality of areas set in an order inwhich a degree of degradation is high, wherein the CPU is configured toset a different fee for at least one of the first rental fee and thesecond rental fee between a case where the predetermined period is in apredefined period and a case where the predetermined period is outsidethe predefined period, wherein the CPU is configured to receive astandard radio wave, and determine whether or not a use period specifiedby the received standard radio wave is a predetermined period, and thepredetermined period is any one of a plurality of periods set in anorder in which the degree of degradation is high, and wherein the CPU isconfigured to set a different fee for the first rental fee when acapacity of the power storage device at the time of start of theutilization is different.
 2. The rental fee setting apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the CPU is configured to set a different fee for thefirst rental fee when a manufacturer of the power storage device at thetime of start of the utilization is different.
 3. The rental fee settingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CPU is configured to set adifferent fee for the first rental fee between a case where an amount ofpower consumption of the power storage device until the predeterminedperiod passes exceeds a threshold value and a case where the amount ofpower consumption of the power storage device until the predeterminedperiod passes does not exceed the threshold value, the amount of powerconsumption of the power storage device being obtained using the drivinghistory.
 4. The rental fee setting apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the CPU is configured to set a different fee for the firstrental fee between a case where the number of times of performing quickelectric charging to the power storage device until the predeterminedperiod passes exceeds a threshold value and a case where the number oftimes of performing quick electric charging to the power storage deviceuntil the predetermined period passes does not exceed the thresholdvalue, the number of times of performing quick electric charging to thepower storage device being obtained using the driving history.
 5. Amethod for setting a rental fee of an electric vehicle in which a powerstorage device is mounted wherein the method is implemented by a rentalfee setting apparatus for the electric vehicle and the rental feesetting apparatus comprises a central processing unit (CPU) andcommunicates wirelessly with the electric vehicle, the methodcomprising: storing, by the CPU, (i) an indication whether or not autilization manner of the power storage device is rental and (ii) anindication whether a utilization manner of a vehicle portion of theelectric vehicle other than the power storage device is rental; andsetting, by the CPU, a first rental fee and a second rental fee based onat least one of (i) an initial state of the power storage device at atime of start of utilization, (ii) a driving history of the electricvehicle during the utilization, and (iii) an environment history duringthe utilization, the first rental fee being a rental fee for apredetermined period when the utilization manner of the power storagedevice is rental, the second rental fee being a rental fee for thepredetermined period when the utilization manner of the vehicle portionis rental; causing, by the CPU, a battery monitoring unit of theelectric vehicle to detect a voltage, a current and a temperature of thepower storage device, and to calculate a value of state of charge (SOC)of the power storage device by using the detected voltage, current andtemperature of the power storage device with the battery monitoring unitof the electric vehicle; setting, by the CPU, a different fee for atleast one of the first rental fee and the second rental fee between acase where a utilization region is in a predefined region until thepredetermined period passes and a case where the utilization region isoutside the predefined region until the predetermined period passes, theutilization region being specified from the environment history,receiving, by the CPU, a history of position acquired for eachpredetermined period during using the electric vehicle from a positioninformation acquisition unit of the electric vehicle, and determinewhether or not a use area specified by the history of the receivedposition is a predetermined area, and the predetermined area is any oneof a plurality of areas set in an order in which a degree of degradationis high, setting, by the CPU, a different fee for at least one of thefirst rental fee and the second rental fee between a case where thepredetermined period is in a predefined period and a case where thepredetermined period is outside the predefined period, receiving, by theCPU, a standard radio wave, and determine whether or not the use periodspecified by the received standard radio wave is a predetermined period,and the predetermined period is any one of a plurality of periods set inan order in which the degree of degradation is high, and setting adifferent fee for the first rental fee when a capacity of the powerstorage device at the time of start of the utilization is different. 6.A rental fee setting system comprising: an electric vehicle in which apower storage device is mounted; and a server comprising a centralprocessing unit (CPU) and communicating wirelessly with the electricvehicle, and configured to set a rental fee of the electric vehicle, theserver being configured to store (i) an indication whether or not autilization manner of the power storage device is rental and (ii) anindication whether a utilization manner of a vehicle portion of theelectric vehicle other than the power storage device is rental, set afirst rental fee and a second rental fee based on at least one of (i) aninitial state of the power storage device at a time of start ofutilization, (ii) a driving history of the electric vehicle during theutilization, and (iii) an environment history during the utilization,the first rental fee being a rental fee for a predetermined period whenthe utilization manner of the power storage device is rental, the secondrental fee being a rental fee for the predetermined period when theutilization manner of the vehicle portion is rental, cause a batterymonitoring unit of the electric vehicle to detect a voltage, a currentand a temperature of the power storage device, and calculate a value ofstate of charge (SOC) of the power storage device by using the detectedvoltage, current and temperature of the power storage device with thebattery monitoring unit of the electric vehicle, set a different fee forat least one of the first rental fee and the second rental fee between acase where a utilization region is in a predefined region until thepredetermined period passes and a case where the utilization region isoutside the predefined region until the predetermined period passes, theutilization region being specified from the environment history, receivea history of position acquired for each predetermined period duringusing the electric vehicle from a position information acquisition unitof the electric vehicle, and determine whether or not a use areaspecified by the history of the received position is a predeterminedarea, and the predetermined area is any one of a plurality of areas setin an order in which a degree of degradation is high, set a differentfee for at least one of the first rental fee and the second rental feebetween a case where the predetermined period is in a predefined periodand a case where the predetermined period is outside the predefinedperiod, receive a standard radio wave, and determine whether or not useperiod specified by the received standard radio wave is a predeterminedperiod, and the predetermined period is any one of a plurality ofperiods set in an order in which the degree of degradation is high, andset a different fee for the first rental fee when a capacity of thepower storage device at the time of start of the utilization isdifferent.